Hyundai Motor Group and Stagecoach have become partners in the Intelligent Mobility (IM) Accelerator in Milton Keynes.
The IM Accelerator programme is designed to attract disruptive start-ups specialising in transport systems with high-growth potential, in order to help them grow into world-leading companies that promote UK business and create UK jobs.
As sponsoring partners, Hyundai Motor Group, (encompassing both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors), will support startups with associated opportunities for business development and investment, and designate relevant experts to provide appropriate support.
Stagecoach Group, the bus, coach, rail, and tram operator working in the UK, United States and Canada, will provide similar support.
The IM Accelerator programme, which is a partnership between Transport Systems Catapult and Wayra UK, part of Telefónica Open Future. It focuses on Intelligent Mobility, concentrating on areas such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Connected Infrastructure, New Business Models, Transport Data, Mobility, Fin Tech and AI, with a goal to develop companies who will create solutions for the most pressing transport problems.
Transport Systems Catapult, Director of SME Strategy Alex Weedon said, “We’re extremely excited to have both Hyundai and Stagecoach on board with the IM Accelerator. Both have a strong focus on innovation and having these two world leading companies on board will ensure start-up companies who enter the programme will be able to access both the motor industry and a large breadth of the public transport sector. We’re looking forward to to seeing the Intelligent Mobility solutions this will enable and we are sure will lead to a new set of successful businesses launching in the UK transport industry.”
Youngcho Chi, Chief Innovation Officer and EVP of Hyundai Motor Group, added, “The rise of megacities will bring many challenges and automakers need to be prepared to overcome them. Hyundai Motor Group is pleased to support and work with the out-of-the-box approaches of these innovative UK startups to rethink the transportation system for the benefit of future societies.”
While Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths commented, “Stagecoach was the original transport innovator and disrupter so it’s great to be part of this dynamic and progressive programme. We want to help deliver even more innovation within the transport industry to make it even easier for people to access smarter travel within our towns and cities and to continue to find new, innovative solutions to suit their needs.”
